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Wilt Chamberlain once averaged 50.4 points per game for an entire season, so it should come as no surprise that he has the most 50-point games in NBA history.
It's not close, either.
Over his legendary 14-year career, Chamberlain recorded a total of 118 50-point games in the regular season. Michael Jordan has the next-most all-time with — are you ready for this? — 31 50-point games.
Only 11 players in NBA history have recorded 50 points in 10 or more games in their career. Four of those players are active.
MORE:The top-15 scoring games in NBA history
Who has the most 50-point games in NBA history?
Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for most 50-point games in NBA history with 118. Michael Jordan ranks second with 31 50-point games, followed by Kobe Bryant (25), James Harden (23) and Elgin Baylor (17).
Among active players, Damian Lillard is the closest to cracking the top five. He currently ranks sixth all-time with 15 50-point games in his career.
| Rank | Player | 50-point games |
| 1. | Wilt Chamberlain | 118 |
| 2. | Michael Jordan | 31 |
| 3. | Kobe Bryant | 25 |
| 4. | James Harden | 23 |
| 5. | Elgin Baylor | 17 |
| 6. | Damian Lillard | 15 |
| 7. | LeBron James | 14 |
| Rick Barry | 14 | |
| 9. | Allen Iverson | 11 |
| Stephen Curry | 11 | |
| 11. | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 10 |
| 12. | Kevin Durant | 9 |
| 13. | Bernard King | 8 |
| 14. | Dominique Wilkins | 7 |
| 15. | Kyrie Irving | 6 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 6 | |
| Adrian Dantley | 6 | |
| Pete Maravich | 6 | |
| Bob Pettit | 6 |
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Who has the most 50-point games among active players?
James Harden has the most 50-point games among active players with 23, putting him behind only Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant for the most in NBA history.
In addition to Harden, Damian Lillard (15), LeBron James (14) and Stephen Curry (11) are the only active players with 10 or more 50-point games in their careers.
Kevin Durant is one 50-point game away from joining the exclusive group.
| Rank | Player | 50-point games |
| 1. | James Harden | 23 |
| 2. | Damian Lillard | 15 |
| 3. | LeBron James | 14 |
| 4. | Stephen Curry | 11 |
| 5. | Kevin Durant | 9 |
| 6. | Kyrie Irving | 6 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 6 | |
| 8. | Bradley Beal | 5 |
| Anthony Davis | 5 | |
| Russell Westbrook | 5 | |
| Devin Booker | 5 | |
| Jayson Tatum | 5 | |
| Luka Doncic | 5 | |
| 14. | Carmelo Anthony | 4 |
| Joel Embiid | 4 | |
| Klay Thompson | 4 |
Author(s)
Scott Rafferty is a Senior NBA Editor for The Sporting News
